PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLEGHENY GREENWAYS

The 2026 NFL Draft is 225 days away — time to redd up for company!

The Immaculate Collection, a regionwide initiative to deep-clean and beautify Pittsburgh, launched today across from Acrisure Stadium.

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

With the city skyline as a backdrop, local leaders gathered to share details about the massive clean-up effort that includes 100 miles of highways leading into and out of Downtown, hanging flower baskets and planting gardens, getting high school and college students involved and mobilizing volunteers in at least 50 county neighborhoods.

“The eyes of the world will be on Pittsburgh during the Draft, but the truth is: litter doesn’t just affect visitors’ first impressions; it affects how we see ourselves,” said Caily Grube, executive director of Allegheny Cleanways. “The Draft is an opportunity to unite the region and give this much-needed cleanup a sense of urgency, but our plan is to sustain this effort long after next April, with the community’s support, so we can keep the region clean, beautiful and healthy for all residents.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLEGHENY GREENWAYS

As organizer of the initiative, Allegheny Cleanways is doubling its full-time crew to do weekly land and river cleanups throughout the county. They’ve got a big job to do.

According to a 2019 study by Keep PA Beautiful, more than 500 million pieces of litter can be found on Keystone State roadways, mostly in the form of plastic bottles, aluminum cans, cigarette butts and food packaging items.

The public can get involved by visiting the Immaculate Collection site to volunteer with local groups, start a new one or donate to the cause.